Lap Knockout

The fastest driver to cross the finish lap wins. Tracks are closed loops, which are driven multiple times (one lap less than the quantity of drivers). Each lap, the last driver is eliminated. The last standing driver wins.

Drag

Present in Underground 1 and 2, Most Wanted and ProStreet.

The fastest driver to cross the finish lap wins. The circuit is relatively or completely straight, so brakes aren't used. Traffic cars if present must be avoided.

Drift

Present in Underground 1 and 2, Carbon and ProStreet.

Drivers are scored according to slides, which must be as fast, wide and long as possible. Extra points may be awarded for drifting close to the edges of the track. The driver with most points wins.

Speedtrap

Present in Most Wanted, Carbon and ProStreet (Top Speed Run).

In a point-to-point track, drivers are scored based on the speed at checkpoints. Once the leading driver crosses the finish line, the remaining drivers' scores start to drop until they cross the finish line. The driver with most points wins.

Other race types

Outrun

Present in Underground 2 and Undercover.

One-on-one battle held in an open environment. The driver must overtake the other driver and leave him/her behind, by driving fast and following tricky paths. The leading driver wins if he/she gets a 400 meter lead (UG2) and or he/she lasts 60 seconds without being overtaken (UC).

Canyon Duel

Present in Carbon.

One-on-one battle held in a point-to-point course. In the first stage, the player must chase the rival car and score points based on the distance between both cars. In the second stage, the roles are reversed: the player is chased by the rival car, and his/her score drops according to the distance between both cars. If the player has positive points, he/she wins the race and vice versa. If either car is overtaken or falls through a cliff, he/she loses the duel.

Sector Shootout

Present in ProStreet.

Drivers must race in a circuit track as fast as possible. The drivers receive points any time he/she beats the current best time for each track sector. The driver with most points wins.

Time Attack

Present in ProStreet.

Drivers race as fast as possible around a circuit track multiple times. The driver with best lap time wins.

Highway Battle

Present in Undercover.

One-on-one battle held in a point-to-point track. Both drivers must leave the other car behind by driving fast or making them crash. If one drivers is 400 meters behind the leader or crashes heavily, he/she loses the battle. If time runs out, the leading driver wins.

Be the Cop / Takedown

Championship descriptions

Tournament

Present in The Need for Speed through Underground 2 (Underground Racing League in UG2).

Series of regular races, such as circuit, sprint, drag, lap knockout and drift. Drivers are scored after each race according to their finish positions. The driver with most points wins the championship.

Knockout

Present in NfS 2, Hot Pursuit, High Stakes and Hot Pursuit 2.

Series of circuit or sprint races (one less than the quantity of drivers). The last driver of each race is eliminated from the championship. The winner of the last race wins the championship.

Race Day

Present in ProStreet

The player is scored according to his/her performance on each race. Each race can be race unlimited times - only the best score per race is kept. The player wins (or dominates) the race day if he/she reaches a fixed amount of points.